State Tournament: Thursday Game Recaps

2A Semifinal: #1 Western Christian 76, #5 Treynor 45

It was close until it wasn’t. Western Christian looked every bit the top-ranked team in the state on Thursday morning, blowing out fifth-seeded Treynor, 76-45, advancing to the 2A championship game for a state-record 13th time, where they’ll be chasing their state-record 11th state title.

Treynor came out firing, taking a 17-16 lead after the first quarter, and holding a 24-21 lead with 4:35 left in the second quarter. Then the wheels started to come off for the Cardinals, with Western Christian’s constant pressure, length, and athleticism taking over. The Wolfpack closed the quarter on a 12-1 run, taking a 33-25 lead into the break. The Wolfpack dominated the third quarter, winning that frame 29-10, and cruised to the win with a lead that got as large as 32.

Western Christian improves to 22-3 with the win and will await either Unity Christian or Hudson on Friday afternoon, with tip-off set for 3:00 pm. The Wolfpack were led by Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA , who had a game-high 21 points. Tyler Mantel Tyler Mantel 6'1" | SF Western Christian | 2024 State IA had 16 points and 7 rebounds, Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA battled foul trouble and still finished with 15 points, and Uchan Harberts Uchan Harberts 6'0" | PG Western Christian | 2024 State IA added 10 in the win. In all, 10 Wolfpack players scored.

Treynor’s season ends with a 22-4 record and the school’s 17th state tournament appearance. The Cardinals were led by Alec Lovely Alec Lovely 6'0" | PG Treynor | 2026 State IA , who was the lone player in double figures with 17 points. The Cardinals will lose four starters but bring back standout guard Alec Lovely Alec Lovely 6'0" | PG Treynor | 2026 State IA , who had a really good week here. They’ll also bring back every bench player for a program that is always strong.

Scoring
Treynor: Alec Lovely Alec Lovely 6'0" | PG Treynor | 2026 State IA 17, Ethan Konz 8, Karson Elwood 7, Jace Tams Jace Tams 5'11" | PG Treynor | 2024 State IA 3, Jude Mieska 3, Aaron Ehmke 2, Corbin Thien Corbin Thien 6'6" | PF Treynor | 2026 State IA 2, Dane Guttau 2, Jared Schwarte Jared Schwarte 6'5" | PF Treynor | 2025 State IA 1
Western Christian: Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA 21, Tyler Matel 16, Karsten Moret Karsten Moret 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2025 State IA 15, Uchan Harberts Uchan Harberts 6'0" | PG Western Christian | 2024 State IA 10, Kaden DeJager 5, Caleb Douma Caleb Douma 6'1" | SG Western Christian | 2024 State IA 3, Barret Bleeker 2, Matthew Van Otterloo 2, Landon De Stigter Landon De Stigter 6'3" | SG Western Christian | 2026 State IA 1, Brody Van Kley 1

Team stats
Treynor: 16-46 FG (34.8%), 5-20 3P (25.0%), 8-11 FT (72.7%); 25 rebounds (6 offensive); 5 assists, 22 turnovers
Western Christian: 27-57 FG (47.4%), 6-20 3P (30.0%), 16-20 FT (80.0%); 38 rebounds (14 offensive); 13 assists, 18 turnovers

MVP: 2025 SF Kaden Van Regenmorter Kaden Van Regenmorter 6'4" | SF Hull, Western Christian | 2025 State IA (Western Christian) — 21 points (5-8 FG, 2-5 3P, 9-11 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals

There was no doubt who the best player on the floor was in this one, as Van Regenmorter dominated the game on both ends. He’s a highly efficient scorer who can score from all three levels.

2A Semifinal: #2 Hudson 54, #6 Unity Christian 51

Free throws matter, kids. Hudson will be the first ones to tell you that after sinking three of them in the last 5.4 seconds to survive a comeback attempt from Unity Christian and advance to the Class 2A championship game for the first time since 1993, 54-51.

For a while, it looked like Hudson may just run away and cruise into the championship game, using a 15-1 run to take a 23-10 lead midway through the second quarter, and they took a comfortable 31-20 lead into the break. But a defensive adjustment that Unity Christian had made, going to a 2-3 zone with about three minutes left in the half, proved to be a difference-maker in the second half, really slowing down the potent Pirates offense.

Still, Hudson held at least a two-possession lead throughout the entire second half until Austin Wieringa Austin Wieringa 6'0" | SG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA split a pair of free throws with 1:34 left in the game, drawing the Knights with 49-46. Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA answered with a nice drive and finish, and Dylan Bosma Dylan Bosma 6'1" | PG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA came right back with a layup plus the foul. He made the free throw to make it a 51-49 Hudson lead with 1:09 to play. Hudson turned it over on the ensuing possession, and freshman Tyce Van Donge Tyce Van Donge 6'2" | PF Unity Christian | 2027 State IA tied it at 51 with just under 35 seconds left.

With the shot clock turned off, Hudson called a timeout with 16.3 seconds left. They drew up a play that got Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA going towards the rim and he was fouled with 5.4 seconds left. An 89.7% shooter from the charity stripe, Michael missed the first and Unity called a timeout. He made the second, giving Hudson a 52-51 lead and Unity threw it away on the ensuing inbounds pass. Camden Davis Camden Davis 6'5" | SF Hudson | 2024 State IA was fouled and made both of his free throws, and for the second straight game in this tournament, Hudson got late free throws to lift them, survive, and advance.

Hudson improves to 25-2 with the win and will play top-ranked Western Christian in the Class 2A championship game tomorrow at 3:00 pm. The Pirates were led by Camden Davis Camden Davis 6'5" | SF Hudson | 2024 State IA , who had 16 points and 9 rebounds. Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA had 15 points, and Lyle Olsen Lyle Olsen 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA added 14 in the win. The Pirates were 16-18 from the free throw line.

Unity Christian’s season ends with a 21-5 record and the school’s first state tournament appearance since 2005. The Knights will bring back four starters and their top bench player and should be considered one of the top two or three teams in Class 2A to open next season. They were led by freshman Tyce Van Donge Tyce Van Donge 6'2" | PF Unity Christian | 2027 State IA , who had 24 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Austin Wieringa Austin Wieringa 6'0" | SG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA had 11 points and Dylan Bosma Dylan Bosma 6'1" | PG Unity Christian | 2026 State IA added 10.

Team stats
Unity Christian: 17-41 FG (41.5%), 2-13 3P (15.4%), 15-24 FT (62.5%); 31 rebounds (5 offensive); 4 assists, 15 turnovers
Hudson: 17-50 FG (34.0%), 4-17 3P (23.5%), 16-18 FT (88.9%); 31 rebounds (8 offensive); 5 assists, 10 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Tanner Michael Tanner Michael 6'0" | PG Hudson | 2024 State IA (Hudson) — 15 points (4-12 FG, 1-4 3P, 6-8 FT), 2 rebounds

The 6-0 guard made the free throw that proved to be the game winner, and his attacking off the dribble helped the Pirates create a bit of offense after getting a bit stagnant against the Unity 2-3.

3A Semifinal: #4 Assumption 61, #1 Decorah 53

It wasn’t the high-scoring, up-tempo game that we all expected it to be, but Assumption will take it, as the Knights escaped with a 61-53 win in overtime over top-ranked Decorah, advancing to the Class 3A championship game tomorrow evening.

At many times, this game was a bit of a slog, a defensive slugfest between a pair of explosive offensive teams. But the defenses of both of these teams was probably, at times, overshadowed this year by those explosive offenses. These were two really good defensive teams filled with long, athletic pieces who can make life difficult for opposing teams on that end of the floor, as they showed throughout.

Assumption took a 23-19 lead into the half, and Decorah cut that deficit in half, going to the fourth quarter trailing 34-32. Tied at 37 with 3:20 to play, we finally got the offensive flurry that we had been expecting all game: a 3 from Treyton McCain Treyton McCain 6'1" | PG Decorah | 2024 State IA , quickly answered with a 3 from Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA . Another McCain 3, then a layup from Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF/SG Muscatine | 2025 State IA . Then a Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA 3. 13 points in the span of 61 seconds gave Decorah a 46-42 lead with 2:21 to play. Braylon Thomsen Braylon Thomsen 6'4" | SF Assumption | 2025 State IA split a pair of free throws on the next Assumption possession, Decorah turned it over, and Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA knocked down a corner 3 after a nice drive-and-kick rom Navon Shabazz Navon Shabazz 6'4" | CG United Prep | 2026 State IA , tying it at 46 with 1:08 to play. As Decorah worked the clock, Assumption committed a foul with 32.2 seconds left to play, giving Decorah a fresh shot clock and a chance to hold for the last shot. Zach Driscoll Zach Driscoll 6'0" | SG Decorah | 2025 State IA drove down the left side of the lane, but missed a contested layup and to overtime we went.

The overtime period was all Assumption, winning the extra frame 15-7, with the dagger coming with 1:27 left. After Decorah missed two really good looks at a tying 3, Navon Shabazz Navon Shabazz 6'4" | CG United Prep | 2026 State IA hit a tough, contested stepback 3 in the left corner to give the Knights a 6-point lead and the game.

Assumption improves to 18-8 with the win and will play for the Class 3A state championship for the first time since 2000. They await either Waverly-Shell Rock or MOC-Floyd Valley, with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 pm tomorrow. The Knights were led by Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA , who had a game-high 23 points. Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF/SG Muscatine | 2025 State IA continued his stellar week at the state tournament with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and stout defense against Decorah star Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA .

Decorah’s season ends with a 23-3 record and the school’s first ever state tournament win. The Vikings were led by Treyton McCain Treyton McCain 6'1" | PG Decorah | 2024 State IA , who had 18 points. Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA added 10 points, with each playing in their final high school games. The Vikings will lose four starters, but will bring back standout big Cael LaFrentz and star guard Zach Driscoll Zach Driscoll 6'0" | SG Decorah | 2025 State IA , giving them a good foundation to build upon for next season.

Team stats
Assumption: 21-47 FG (44.7%), 6-16 3P (37.5%), 13-21 FT (61.9%); 36 rebounds (7 offensive); 6 assists, 14 turnovers
Decorah: 19-59 FG (32.2%), 8-25 3P (32.0%), 7-9 FT (77.8%); 33 rebounds (11 offensive); 10 assists, 10 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Kayvion Hodges Kayvion Hodges 6'3" | SF/SG Muscatine | 2025 State IA (Assumption) — 20 points (9-14 FG, 2-5 FT), 13 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal

Both Hodges and Damyen Jackson Damyen Jackson 6'0" | PG Assumption | 2025 State IA were fantastic for the Knights, but it was Hodges’ work on the defensive end against Ben Bockman Ben Bockman 6'5" | SF Decorah | 2024 State IA , holding the 20-point scorer to just 10 points on 3-14 shooting, that helped lift the Knights to this semifinal win.

3A Semifinal: #2 Waverly-Shell Rock 76, #3 MOC-Floyd Valley 66

No extra time needed for Waverly-Shell Rock on Thursday evening, as the second-seeded Go-Hawks blasted past third-seed MOC-Floyd Valley, 76-66, to advance to tomorrow night’s Class 3A championship game.

After needing overtime to escape with a win over Pella on Tuesday, the Go-Hawks made sure early on that there would be no dramatic finish to this one, scoring 43 first-half points, racing to a 13-point halftime lead, and cruising to a semifinal win. In an eye-poppingly efficient fashion, they shot 72% from the floor, 63.6% from 3-point range, and put up approximately 1.95 points per possession in the first 16 minutes, for those of us who are analytically inclined. To put that into perspective, the most efficient team in college basketball, UConn, puts up around 1.23 points per possession.

The Go-Hawks grabbed a double-digit lead with 1:40 left before the half on a Cole Marsh Cole Marsh 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA 3-pointer, giving them a 40-28 edge, and MOC-Floyd Valley got back to within single digits for only 63 seconds midway through the fourth quarter, and again with 45 seconds to play.

The best 3-point shooting team in the state this year, Waverly-Shell Rock came into this one averaging 11.2 made 3-pointers per game, and they shoot them at a 43.2% clip. They move the ball extremely well and when they’re playing like they did in the first half of this game, they’re almost impossible to beat. They drive and kick, drive and kick, drive and kick, and their sharpshooters are always moving without the ball in their hands. For the game, they shot 60.9% from the floor and 12-24 from 3-point land, putting on an offensive clinic all evening.

Waverly-Shell Rock improves to 22-3 on the year and will take on Assumption in the Class 3A championship game tomorrow at 5:00 pm. It will be the Go-Hawks first championship game appearance since winning it all in 2013. Luke Frazell Luke Frazell 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025 State IA led the way with 31 points on 12-14 shooting. Noah Frazell Noah Frazell 6'1" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA had 17 points and Cole Marsh Cole Marsh 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2024 State IA added 15.

MOC-Floyd Valley’s season ends with a 22-4 record and the school’s ninth state tournament appearance. They were led by Jesse Van Kalsbeek Jesse Van Kalsbeek 6'6" | SF MOC-Floyd Valley | 2024 State IA , who had 31 points and 6 rebounds in the loss, concluding a sensational two-game stretch at the state tournament and a stellar high school career. Ahman Langton Ahman Langton 5'11" | PG MOC-Floyd Valley | 2025 State IA added 12 points in the loss. The Dutchmen will lose star forward Van Kalsbeek but bring back their other four starters and several key bench players.

Team stats
MOC-Floyd Valley: 30-53 FG (56.6%), 4-20 3P (20.0%), 2-6 FT (33.3%); 23 rebounds (7 offensive); 11 assists, 9 turnovers
Waverly-Shell Rock: 28-46 FG (60.9%), 12-24 3P (50.0%), 8-11 FT (72.7%); 21 rebounds (3 offensive); 9 assists, 11 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Luke Frazell Luke Frazell 6'6" | SG Waverly-Shell Rock | 2025 State IA (Waverly-Shell Rock) — 31 points (12-14 FG, 5-7 3P, 2-2 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals

The 6-6 wing set the tone early, getting to the rim on each of the Go-Hawks’ first two possessions for scores. He had a ridiculously efficient game, missing just two shots (and one was a late in the shot clock desperation heave) en route to 31 points. With his size, off-ball movement, quick release, and pure stroke, he’s really difficult to slow down once he gets it rolling, as MOC-Floyd Valley found out the hard way.

4A Semifinal: #1 Kennedy 63, #5 Ankeny 51

Kennedy looked like the best team in the state on Thursday night, rolling to an impressive 63-51 win over Ankeny to advance to the Class 4A championship game tomorrow night.

After Ankeny jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead, Kennedy went on a 22-2 run to grab this game by the throat and roll into the title game, taking a 27-10 lead after one quarter behind 13 points from Micah Schlaak Micah Schlaak 6'6" | PF Kennedy | 2024 State IA , who was dominant early on in setting the tone. The Cougars forced 11 Ankeny turnovers in the first half and turned those into 19 points, racing out to a 39-29 halftime lead. Ankeny got within 7 points early in the third quarter, but another Kennedy spurt pushed the advantage back up to 15 by the end of three.

This looked every bit like the Kennedy team that ran roughshod through the Mississippi Valley Conference this season, creating chaos on the defensive end and using it to spark the offense. Their spurtability is rivaled by few teams in the state, and the constantly changing defensive looks have a tendency to frustrate and stifle even the most talented offensive players in the state, as they did a fantastic job limiting Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA , the leading scorer in 4A at 23.7 points per game. He had just 9 points in this one on 4-13 shooting.

Kennedy’s undefeated season continues, with the Cougars improving to 25-0. This will be their fourth state championship game appearance, the first since 1988. They will await either defending champion Valley or Bettendorf, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 pm tomorrow. The Cougars were led by Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | SG Kennedy | 2024 State IA and Micah Schlaak Micah Schlaak 6'6" | PF Kennedy | 2024 State IA , who each had 17 points in the win. Trey McKowen Trey McKowen 5'11" | PG Kennedy | 2025 State IA and Joseph Bean Joseph Bean 6'3" | PG Kennedy | 2024 State IA each chipped in 13. The Cougars shot 55.6% from the floor.

Ankeny’s season ends with a 18-7 record and the school’s 18th state tournament appearance, the third in the last five years. They were led by Rio Aguirre Rio Aguirre 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2026 State IA , who had a game-high 18 points. Lio Aguirre Lio Aguirre 6'3" | SF Ankeny | 2024 State IA , playing in his final high school game, had 11 points, and the aforementioned Johnson, also playing in his final game, had 9. The Hawks will graduate four starters, including star guard Carson Johnson Carson Johnson 5'11" | PG Ankeny | 2024 State IA , but will bring back Rio Aguirre Rio Aguirre 6'1" | PG Ankeny | 2026 State IA , which is a great place to start rebuilding.

Team stats
Ankeny: 19-46 FG (41.3%), 8-23 3P (34.8%), 5-8 FT (62.5%); 19 rebounds (7 offensive); 8 assists, 14 turnovers
Kennedy: 25-45 FG (55.6%), 5-15 3P (33.3%), 8-10 FT (80.0%); 26 rebounds (8 offensive); 4 assists, 12 turnovers

MVP: 2024 Micah Schlaak Micah Schlaak 6'6" | PF Kennedy | 2024 State IA (Kennedy) — 17 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3P, 4-4 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 block, 2 steals

The future Southwest Minnesota State combo forward set the tone early for the Cougars, scoring 13 points in the first quarter and doing so in a variety of ways. He slowed down after that first quarter, but his explosive first eight minutes helped give the Cougars a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the way.

4A Semifinal: #2 Valley 66, #6 Bettendorf 46

Defending champion Valley will have a chance to go back-to-back following a dominant semifinal performance against Bettendorf, racing past the Bulldogs, 66-46, on Thursday night.

The Tigers never trailed in this one, taking a lead 22 seconds into the contest and extending their first quarter lead to as many as 11. The lead extended to 17 points by halftime, and they never led by fewer than 11 for the last 21:46.

Valley was dominant on both ends of the floor, using their defense to spark the offense, forcing 18 Bettendorf turnovers, and they were able to routinely get to the rim, both in transition and in the halfcourt. Their length and athleticism on the defensive end put the clamps on Bettendorf star Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA , holding the talented senior wing to just 3 points on 1-4 shooting in the first half. He came alive a bit in the second half, but the game was out of reach by that point.

Valley improves to 20-5 with the win and will set up the meeting that people around the state have been clamoring for all year – Kennedy vs. Valley – for the Class 4A championship tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. The Tigers were led by Kiki Deng Kiki Deng 6'4" | SG Valley | 2025 State IA , who had 18 points. Curtis Stinson had 13, and Xzavion Robinson Xzavion Robinson 6'1" | PG Valley | 2025 State #342 Nation IA chipped in 10.

Bettendorf’s run ends with a 17-7 record and the school’s first state tournament appearance since 2017. They were led by Caden Wilkins Caden Wilkins 6'7" | SF Bettendorf | 2024 State #196 Nation IA , who had 16. The Bulldogs will graduate three starters, including Wilkins, the school’s all-time leading scorer. They will bring back Ben Kerkhoff Ben Kerkhoff 6'5" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA , Cole Odefey Cole Odefey 6'5" | SF Bettendorf | 2025 State IA , and Aamri Washington, among others, giving them a good foundation to start next year’s roster with.

Team stats
Bettendorf: 17-40 FG (42.5%), 8-20 3P (40.0%), 4-4 FT (100.0%); 28 rebounds (4 offensive); 4 assists, 18 turnovers
Valley: 24-62 FG (38.7%), 8-30 3P (26.7%), 10-16 FT (62.5%); 36 rebounds (17 offensive); 12 assists, 4 turnovers

MVP: 2025 Curtis Stinson Jr Curtis Stinson Jr 6'5" | SG Western Reserve Academy | 2025 State #157 Nation OH (Valley) — 13 points (5-13 FG, 1-3 3P, 2-4 FT), 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

Stinson played a really good all-around game, playing great defense on Wilkins, getting his teammates involved, pounding the glass, and getting to the rim.

State Tournament: Thursday Game Recaps

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Prep Hoops Iowa Freshman Showcase: Team 6 Evaluations

Prep Hoops Iowa Freshman Showcase: Team 5 Evaluations

Prep Hoops Iowa Freshman Showcase: Team 3 Evaluations

2028 Rankings Update: The Rest of the Newcomers

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Treynor	17	8	10	10	45
Western Christian	16	17	29	14	76

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Unity Christian	10	10	14	17	51
Hudson	18	13	14	9	54

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	OT	FINAL
Assumption	9	14	11	12	15	61
Decorah	8	11	13	14	7	53

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
MOC-Floyd Valley	13	17	14	22	66
Waverly-Shell Rock	20	23	12	21	76

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Ankeny	10	19	11	11	51
Kennedy	27	12	16	8	63

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	FINAL
Bettendorf	9	10	10	17	46
Valley	18	18	16	14	66